Annona reticulata is a small deciduous or semi-evergreen tree in the plant family Annonaceae.[2] It is best known for its fruit, called custard apple, a common name it shares with fruits of several other species in the same genus: A. cherimola[3] and A. squamosa[4] or sometimes it is called wild-sweetsop, bull's heart, bullock's-heart, or ox-heart. The flavor of the fruit is sweet and pleasant, but less popular than that of A. cherimola.

The yellow-green flowers are generally in clusters of three or four 2 centimetres (0.79 in) to 3 centimetres (1.2 in) diameter, with three long outer petals and three very small inner ones.[5]

Fruits and reproduction

The fruits are variable in shape: heart-shaped, spherical, oblong or irregular. The size ranges from 7 centimetres (2.8 in) to 12 centimetres (4.7 in), depending on the cultivar. When ripe, the fruit is brown or yellowish, with red highlights and a varying degree of reticulation, depending again on the variety. The flesh varies from juicy and very aromatic to hard with a repulsive taste.[5] The flavor is sweet and pleasant, akin to the taste of 'traditional' custard.

Possibly a native of the Caribbean[6] and Central America,[1]Annona reticulata is now pantropical[6] and can be found growing between altitudes of 0 metres (0 ft) to 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) in areas of Central America that have alternating seasons.[5] It is cultivated in many tropical countries, and also occurs as feral populations in many parts of the world, including Southeast Asia, Taiwan, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Australia, and Africa.